Da Nang continues to make its mark in international travel publications, appearing as the first recommendation on Lonely Planet’s list of 11 places to visit in Vietnam in 2027. Alongside the city’s beach, nature, heritage and culinary experiences, the article also devotes a separate section to Hoi An as its seventh recommendation.
On 10 November 2026, Lonely Planet published “11 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam in 2027” by Joe Bindloss, offering ideas to help travellers plan their journeys across Vietnam in the coming year.
From emerald rice terraces and ancient sites to idyllic beaches and vibrant cities, Vietnam is presented as a destination catering to a wide range of travel interests. To compile its selection, Lonely Planet began with Best in Travel 2027, which names Da Nang among the year’s top destinations. It then added places its experts regularly return to, drawing on its Vietnam guidebook and its writers’ experience on the ground.
Da Nang – Best for a laid-back city on the beach
Featured first on the list, Da Nang is presented by Lonely Planet as an ideal destination for travellers seeking the relaxed pace of a coastal city. The guide portrays a rapidly developing, clean and progressive city in central Vietnam that still retains the charm and welcoming feel of a small town.
Situated in central Vietnam, Da Nang is blessed with the Marble Mountains, the long stretch of My Khe Beach and a relaxed atmosphere. These attractions lend themselves to flexible itineraries, allowing travellers to explore limestone landscapes, spend time by the sea and enjoy urban life in a single trip.
Photo: Huỳnh Văn Truyền
Lonely Planet also highlights Son Tra Peninsula, which offers peaceful moments in nature and sweeping coastal views. The destination’s appeal extends to day trips connecting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hue’s imperial tombs and temples, the Cham temple towers at My Son, and the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An.
Of these, Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary are located within Da Nang City, while the Complex of Hue Monuments is situated in Hue City. The ability to connect beaches, nature and distinctive heritage settings gives travellers more options when planning their exploration of central Vietnam.
Distinctive cuisine is another reason Da Nang earns praise. According to Lonely Planet, the combination of scenery, a pleasant atmosphere and appealing culinary experiences makes it unsurprising that Da Nang is the only Vietnamese destination featured in Best in Travel 2027. This is the guide’s annual selection of leading destinations for the year ahead.
Dragon Bridge – A Highlight of the City After Dark
Beyond beaches and heritage, the article suggests making time to watch the fire and water show at Dragon Bridge at 21:00 on weekends and public holidays. Lasting a few minutes, the display offers one of Da Nang’s signature experiences after dark.
Lonely Planet advises travellers to arrive early for a good viewing spot. It also recommends planning journeys carefully and avoiding crossing Dragon Bridge and Han River Bridge between 20:30 and 21:30 on weekends and public holidays, when traffic in the area can become congested. This advice helps visitors combine the show with a stroll, sightseeing and time soaking up the atmosphere along the Han River.
Hoi An – Discovering Rich Heritage in a Nostalgic Setting
Featured seventh on the list, Hoi An is Lonely Planet’s choice for travellers who enjoy a nostalgic atmosphere. Gracious and beautiful, the ancient town offers a window into Vietnam’s layers of history through its architecture, trading past and cultural traditions preserved over generations.
The article recalls Hoi An’s role as one of Asia’s key trading ports, where merchants from Japan, Spain and North America helped local traders prosper. Local merchants invested this wealth in shophouses, tea warehouses, covered bridges, ornately decorated assembly halls reflecting Chinese architecture, and colourful Confucian shrines and Buddhist temples.
According to Lonely Planet, history is only the beginning of a journey through Hoi An. Many travellers choose to stay for several days, joining cooking classes led by chefs to learn how to make white rose dumplings and fresh spring rolls, or ordering suits and dresses made to measure at reasonably priced local tailors. These experiences take visitors beyond admiring architecture, offering insights into the food, trades and everyday lives of Hoi An’s residents.
For a change of pace, the guide suggests heading inland from Hoi An and spending a night at a community homestay in the Co Tu village of Bho Hoong. This also offers a chance to extend the journey beyond the ancient town and discover local culture in the mountainous west of Da Nang.
Da Nang’s Continuing Appeal in International Travel Publications
Alongside Da Nang, Hoi An and the coastal stretch between Hue and Da Nang, the list features Hanoi for experiences suited to visitors coming to Vietnam for the first time; Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park for cave adventures; Hue for imperial history; Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay for coastal and island scenery; Phu Quoc for families travelling with children; Ha Giang for its majestic mountains; Ho Chi Minh City for nightlife; and Ba Be National Park for nature, village life and experiences on the lake.
Continued coverage in an international travel guide helps strengthen the image and appeal of Da Nang’s tourism brand. As travellers seek inspiration for their trips in 2027, Lonely Planet’s recommendations offer another reason to choose Da Nang and turn ideas from the pages of a guidebook into a journey to discover and experience the destination in person.
DA NANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
Source Lonely Planet: lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-vietnam
